The Red Devils are steeling themselves for a fight, in their second qualifying match, for the 2018 World Cup tonight (Friday), against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the King Baudouin Stadium. This is one opponent that the national selector, Roberto Martinez, will not take lightly. He kicked off by saying.

He kicked off a press conference yesterday (Thursday) by saying, “We must be able to compete at Bosnia’s level.”

The Spaniard stated, “I will be paying particular attention to how we react to the pressure Bosnia and Herzegovina bring to bear on us.”

He acknowledged, “We must be able to compete at Bosnia’s level, as they are a team of players who fight for every ball.”

He went on, “They know each other very well, having played together for a long time now and have players who are advancing their careers in significant European clubs.”

He remarked, “Moreover, this team can play with one or two attackers and prove to be inflexible when playing with an attack play strategy.”

The important thing for the Devils trainer is to ascertain with what intensity his players get the show on the road.

He stated, “For me, the most important thing on Friday night is to see with what intensity we get the game under way. Indeed with or without the ball.”

Martinez is looking forward to getting this qualifying campaign under way before Belgium’s home crowd.

He said, “I do not feel the pressure, but rather the excitement. We will do everything possible to represent the country to the best of our ability.”

He concluded, “I am looking forward to fighting this first home match. The only thing which is important to me is seeing everyone happy at the end of the match.”